The Compleat ^Angler 



And the same author writes concerning the cantharus that which 

 you shall also hear in his own words : 



But, contrary, the constant cantharus 

 Is ever constant to his faithful spouse ; 

 In nuptial duties spending his chaste life ; 

 Never loves any but his own dear wife. 



Sir, but a little longer, and I have done. 



VEN. Sir, take what liberty you think fit, for your discourse 

 seems to be music, and charms me to an attention. 



Pise. Why then, sir, I will take a liberty to tell, or rather to 

 remember you what is said of turtle-doves : first, that they silently 

 plight their troth, and marry ; and that then the survivor scorns 

 (as the Thracian women are said to do) to outlive his or her mate, 

 and this is taken for a truth ; and if the survivor shall ever couple 

 with another, then not only the living but the dead (be it either the 

 he or the she) is denied the name and honour of a true turtle-dove. 



And to parallel this land-rarity, and teach mankind moral faith- 

 fulness, and to condemn those that talk of religion, and yet come 

 short of the moral faith of fish and fowl ; men that violate the law 

 affirmed by St. Paul (Rom. 2. 14, 15), to be writ in their hearts, 

 and which he says shall at the last day condemn and leave them 

 without excuse ; I pray hearken to what Du Bartas sings (for the 

 hearing of such conjugal faithfulness will be music to all chaste 

 ears), and therefore I pray hearken to what Du Bartas sings of the 

 mullet. 



But for chaste love the Mullet hath no peer ; 

 For if the fisher hath surprised her pheer y 

 As mad with woe to shore she follow eth^ 

 Prest to consort him both in life and death. 



On the contrary, what shall I say of the house-cock, which [treads 

 any hen, and then (contrary to the swan, the partridge, and pigeon) 

 takes no care to hatch, to feed or to cherish his own brood, but is 

 senseless, though they perish. 



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